Lian's Summer of Fun

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the lower middle grade book "Axel & Theo: My Dog is The Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy" by Amberly Kristen Clowe from June 22 to 28, 2015. This one is a great choice for reluctant readers!

About the Book

Title: Axel & Theo: My Dog is the Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy | Author: Amberly Kristen Clowe | Publication Date: November 15, 2014 | Publisher: Smooth Sailing Press | Pages: 44 | Recommended Ages: 6to 10Summary: Theodore Howard wants a white flag. The kind of white flag that will show Riverwood Elementary’s biggest bully, Theo’s given up on ever surviving the fourth grade, and achieving his dream of becoming a real-life astronaut. But, Theo’s seemingly pathetic future gets a glimmer of hope in the form of a very talkative weenie dog named Axel. Theo learns that his best friend on four legs, is actually an alien from the planet Doglin, and just when he begins warming up to the idea of having an alien for a best friend, Axel is kidnapped by two cats from the planet Catlat. Theo chases after Axel and his kidnappers, embarking on an adventure he could have never imagined.

Book Preview

My Review- This book is about Theo Howard. He is a smart kid with big dreams and a
unique best friend. It turns out the stray dog that showed up on his
doorstep one day is emperor in a galaxy where dogs rule and cats drool
and nothing is as it seems it should be. It is a technicolor, hunger
inducing, roller coaster kid adventure of the best kind. Sci-fi/Fantasy
at it's best, on every page the world becomes more fantastic and vivid
with one strange turn after another, always leading to some kind of fun
or an amazing creature. I dare you to read this book without getting
hungry!-Lian's Summer of Fun Blog

More Buzz About the Book

"When I saw the subheading of this book — My dog is the Emperor of a faraway galaxy, I knew I had to read it. After all, how often do you see a sci-fi kid’s book? Being the sci-fi nut that I am, I couldn't pass this one up. I was not disappointed."~ Shari T., Amazon

"Fun book!! The story is imaginative but told with enough familiar themes to make young ones think, "I can see how this could happen!!" And in a world jam-packed with princesses and girl power, it's nice to see fun stuff for boys, too." ~ Valerie S., Amazon

"What a nice story! Got this for my son and he chuckled through it all. He loved the characters and their adventure. He is looking forward to the next one." ~ Nathalia G., Amazon

"It is a great book! My kids loved it (as did I).
I can't wait for the second adventure!" ~ John, Amazon

About the Author: Amberly Kristen Clowe

An avid story writer since elementary school, Amberly Kristen (Krissy) Clowe truly discovered her passion for writing after enrolling in a college, children's literature class, where they read and analyzed children's books. After completing her BA in early childhood education she began her teaching career.
"After my first year of teaching second grade, I had so many ideas swirling around in my head, I had to write. I might have gone crazy if I didn't!" Clowe tells.
Axel & Theo is the first chapter book series written by Clowe, though she already has two other children's picture books in print, and another due for publication in 2015. Today, her children provide the inspiration to her many stories, along with everything else she loves in life.

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Giveaway ends: July 5, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, SmoothSailing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

Friday, June 19, 2015

This week I get to participate in my first blog tour, thanks to http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com. This week I get to review Axel & Theo: My Dog is the Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy by Amberly Kristen Clowe. Be sure to come back on June 22 to visit all the blogs and see what everyone has to say about this book.

This book is about Theo Howard. He is a smart kid with big dreams and a unique best friend. It turns out the stray dog that showed up on his doorstep one day is emperor in a galaxy where dogs rule and cats drool and nothing is as it seems it should be. It is a technicolor, hunger inducing, roller coaster kid adventure of the best kind. Sci-fi/Fantasy at it's best, on every page the world becomes more fantastic and vivid with one strange turn after another, always leading to some kind of fun or an amazing creature. I dare you to read this book without getting hungry!

I gave this book a 4.5

Readability- 4 This book was easy to read but Theo has a lot of inside thoughts that made me have to read again to be sure I was following.

Age- 5 This book is great for elementary school kids. I think it would be a great book for parents to read to younger kids.

Illustrations- 4 The illustration were amazing. I really loved the colored pencils sketches and they really captured the story. But, there weren't enough illustrations and I would have liked to have seen some more of the things described in the story.

Interest- 5 This book definitely held my interest. I couldn't wait to see what came next and it CAN'T end like that!!

Like- 5 I liked reading it and I can't wait for their next adventure.

I received an e book copy of this to review, I would buy a hard cover edition in a heartbeat.

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This story is about super whiz kid, 12 year old Billy and his equally smart best friend for life, Suzy. The story opens with Suzy being questioned by police because her friend has set off an explosion at his high school and disappeared. As she tries to explain the complexities of quantum physics, micro biology and the equally mysterious interactions of high school students to the police and other adults, Billy shows up again and the adventure really begins.

I am not sure how I feel about this book. I really like that not once does this story dumb down for the reader. I appreciate the time taken to explain both the science and science fiction aspects of the story. Billy and Suzy lead a cast of delightfully colorful characters, that had me feeling for even the more despicable ones.

I have noticed that this book is labeled as a children's book. In my opinion, it is geared more toward upper middle school - adult. I don't think that kids younger than that will understand the science explanations or get the wonderful pop culture references that pop up throughout the story. I also think the social commentary on topics such as mental illness and bullying, though brilliantly written, may be lost on a younger crowd.

The downside of this book for me was that it seemed to be like two different books, with the first part, told in one way from various characters perspectives, then becoming more like a typical action kid hero adventure story in the second part. Both styles are equally engaging, but it slowed the story down for me until I got used to the new style. Also the fantasy element, though original, was not as clearly explained as the science was. To me the story was not quite as cohesive as I would have liked.

All that said I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the Billy Bobble series. I think it has great potential and that Billy could quite easily take a place in kid lit fame next to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.

I give this book a rating of 4

3- Readability: In the first part of the story, the doctor seemed to be to focus of the exposition, I am not sure how her storyline played out. Also I found myself going back to reread a lot of the fantasy situations to make sense of them.

3- Age: Tweens might like it if they understand it, but I think older kids or adults are a better audience for this book.

5- Illustrations: The cover art is awesome.

5- Interest: The book did keep me turning pages to see what would happen next and the characters were simply terrific.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Last week I got to sit down with Assistant Librarian Amy Luke, from the Corona Public Library, to discuss summer happenings at the library.

It was great to finally interview her. Ms. Luke has always been happy to stop for a picture or a quick word for my blog over the last four years and she makes the library a fun place to be.

May 2013

Summerfest at the library begins today, June 8 and goes all summer. Everyone in the family can sign up for Read to Rhythm to win prizes and there are lots fun movies and concerts all summer long, thanks to The Friends of the Corona Public Library.